Dive into Your Feels with These Mexican Music Gems
By Angelica Ruiz
I don’t know what’s been going on with me lately, whether it’s the bipolar weather New York is getting or the fact that I have been consumed with an overwhelming dose of nostalgia. But, I have found myself blasting the melodic, warm sounds of rancheras, corridos tumbados, and boleros. These genres always understand the exact way I’m feeling. While songs in English are incredibly soulful and also emotional, songs in Spanish find the most poetic words to express emotions. Whenever I am in my feelings or consumed with nostalgia, I immediately hit play on my “¡Arriba el Corazón!” Spotify playlist. So, whenever you’re feeling nostalgic or in your feels, I highly recommend joining me in the rollercoaster of emotions this playlist takes me through. You might find that these songs understand your feelings too, no matter where you’re from or what language you speak.
Mariachi Melancholy
The sound of Mexico, the Mariachis, is iconic and unforgettable. This folk music, a blend of brass and string instruments, is a powerful emotional catalyst. The lyrics are poignant, and the singing is so moving that it’s impossible not to be swept away by the emotions they create.
If you’re in the mood for a cathartic cry or a passionate outburst, ‘¿Qué creías?’ (What did you think?) by Selena Quintanilla is the perfect song for you. Selena’s raspy tones add a raw, emotional layer to the already tearful lyrics. The song narrates a tale of heartbreak and the struggle to forgive a partner for the pain they’ve caused. It encapsulates feelings of betrayal, hurt, and disappointment. The lyrics alone paint a harsh and relatable picture of a cheating partner seeking forgiveness. Still, when combined with Selena’s powerful vocals, you can almost taste the bitterness and feel the disappointment as if you’ve lived through this very situation.
If you’re feeling more nostalgic about past love, Vicente Fernandez has a legendary discography for you to choose from. ‘Un Millón de Primaveras’ (A Million Springs) is an iconic piece of art expressing heartwrenching lyrics and an emotional melody, capturing the essence of missed chances and the desire to turn back time. Fernandez tells the story of a person reflecting on their life and expressing regret for not having expressed their love and appreciation to someone special while they had the chance. The lyrics evoke nostalgia and longing, imagining what could have been if they had seized the opportunity to cherish their loved ones. Fernández’s vocals and raw emotions draw listeners into the heartfelt reflection of missed opportunities and unspoken feelings. Vicente Fernandez’s voice has a warm, resonant quality that fills the song with a sense of intimacy and sincerity. He effortlessly navigates the song’s melodic twists and turns, delivering each phrase with precision and passion.
Retro Romance
Some of my favorite songs on this playlist are romantic boleros that simply take you through a journey of love and sweet memories. Bolero is a timeless and elegant musical genre that continues to captivate audiences with its passionate vocals, evocative lyrics, and romantic melodies. Characterized by guitars, percussion instruments, and a small ensemble, boleros fuel their listeners with romantic and danceable tunes.
To continue this nostalgic and retro theme, Los Panchos is an incomparable bolero musical trio that originated in New York City in 1944. Throughout their career, they’ve compiled a distinctive and renowned discography that continues influencing artists today. My favorite song of theirs — included in the playlist — is a close tie between ‘Sin Ti’ and ‘Contigo.’ In ‘Sin Ti’ (Without You), the lyrics express the pain and longing of someone separated from their loved one. The song’s protagonist reflects on the emptiness and sadness they feel in the absence of the person they care for. The lyrics quickly make us feel a sense of heartbreak and yearning as they paint a picture of a world that feels incomplete without this specific person. Los Panchos effortlessly make their rendition emotional through their moving, sweet vocals, and beautiful guitar arrangements.
‘Contigo’ (With You) is the opposite story of ‘Sin Ti.’ It tells the lovely story of a couple filled with passion and tenderness for each other. The poetic lyrics express the overwhelming joy of spending every waking moment with your loved one. It is a beautiful and romantic ballad that celebrates the power of love and the happiness of being with the person you cherish.
While this next song technically isn’t bolero, it falls into that category of sweet and retro stylings. ‘Fué en un Café’ (It was in a Café) by Los Apson is an incredibly playful and unique song of a meet-cute that takes place in a café. It captures the adrenaline and giddy feeling of a chance encounter and the romanticism of falling in love. It truly describes the magic of falling in love and the thrill of a new love interest. The song embodies the essence of young teen movies when it shows the two protagonists meeting for the first time. Something about this song just makes me smile and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling of what love can be.
Mexican Music: Reimagined
With a new wave of Mexican and Mexican-American artists, there is a reimagining of genres and mixing of cultures into the traditional stylings of Mexican music. Artists like Eslabon Armado, Iván Cornejo, Becky G, and many more are leading the way for the new style of music heard in Mexico. This renaissance that Mexican music is experiencing has created wonderful musical gems for the music industry.
While exploring these artists, I’ve discovered the hidden treasures: songs that genuinely cut deep into listeners’ emotions.
Becky G has undergone a significant rebranding, transitioning from a primarily English-language pop star to a bilingual artist who embraces her Mexican-American heritage and incorporates elements of Latin music into her work. As a result, she has released her album “Esquinas,” which pays homage to her Mexican roots. My absolute favorite song from this album is ‘2NDO CHANCE’ (Second Chance) in collaboration with Iván Cornejo. The song starts with a kickback beat, creating a sense of loneliness and tiredness, almost as if the song was her last opportunity to plead with her love interest. It’s a journey of heartbreak and desire to give a relationship a second chance. The artists emphasize the hurt and despair of seeing their ex-partner in a new relationship; all they can hope for is the person returning to them. This song is my go-to whenever a crush fails, and I still hold out hope for them. It truly is a work of art.
Iván Cornejo is an incredibly talented artist with poetic and touching lyrics. ‘Donde Estas’ (Where Are You?) is a beautifully touching piece that expresses the desperation and confusion of where their loved one is. Iván’s raspy voice amplifies the desperation that the lyrics express as he practically is yelling and pleading for his partner to come back to him. I’ve recently had this song on repeat, and I find myself relating to the lyrics in a way I would’ve never imagined. I ask myself the same question: where this person is, and why did they ever feel the need to walk away? Iván Cornejo is a fantastic storytelling artist who isn’t afraid to showcase his emotions through song and lyrics.
Something I feel the world lacks these days is the ability to express love for one another in an ‘old-fashioned’ way. Sending people love notes, getting your partner flowers, and the idea of making someone fall in love with you have faded into ‘Are you up?’ texts. There is no romance behind love anymore. Eslabon Armado’s rendition of ‘Amarte a la Antigua’ perfectly expresses these feelings of loving someone the old-fashioned way. The song’s lyrics express deep affection and devotion, portraying an unwavering love. The singer reminisces about the simplicity and purity of love in the past, contrasting it with the complexities of modern relationships. Additionally, the artist mixes the stylings of traditional, classical Mexican music with the sounds of modern reimaginations of the Mexican genre, making it a timeless and expressive piece.
So there you have it — an emotional and moving playlist for the soul! Whether you’re shedding tears of love or sorrow, Mexican music has a song for every emotion with powerful and artistic lyrics.
Here is the link to the Spotify playlist so you can get into your feelings with me!¡Viva la música!
